Very well said. You can tell from the context, that Russel Peter’s father meant no offense whatsoever, when he used the term “Negro”. It’s just the word that popped up in his mind, naturally and harmlessly. Whereas a White person using that term often does so in a spirit of contempt, arrogance or condescension. As someone remarked, there are deep issues of history and power at play here. An Indian using the word simply doesn’t have the hard edge or nastiness, that a White individual could have.

Not going far off topic, I have noticed that Indo-Americans are more confident, self-assured, happy and serene, than Indo-Canadians. In Canada, Indians are part of the cold, staid, sluggish, and historically unfriendly, Canadian environment. This generally causes them to either be shy and withdrawn, or alternatively, to act up, and look obnoxious. Because of this unpleasant Canadian social environment, ethnic Indians are often sullen, resentful and judgemental toward other Indians. Whereas Indians in the US tend to blend in pretty well with the larger community, and while interacting with other Indians, are friendly, polite and warm. I had a direct experience of this recently while visiting Milwaukee, for the US Open table tennis championships. And on my other trips to the US. There are of course, going to be exceptions to the pattern of behaviour in both countries.But the general rule holds.

Well, there’s a plug for the US, at least on that particular issue!

That said, Canadians focus very much culturally on ‘niceness’. There are certain things you should or should not say. Form is very important, things like always saying good bye before you hang up, lots of little social rules like that where- generally speaking- Americans are less likely to stand on ceremony. There is some truth to what RP is saying but it’s more complex than that, of course.

Russell’s got a point, even if he overdoes it.